Empire State Braves Prospects: 8/16/11

This week's Empire State Braves update includes promotions, options and quality starts. As long as the rain holds off, I will be at Syracuse for the first two games of their series against Gwinnett Tuesday and Wednesday, so I may be able to see one of the Empire Staters in action. Here's how the group performed over the past week (8/9-8/15)....

Courtesy: milb.com

Anthony Varvaro, RHP (MLB - Atlanta/Triple A - Gwinnett)
It was a busy week for Varvaro, who saw time in four games for two different teams. With Scott Linebrink being activated from the DL for Atlanta on Sunday, Varvaro was optioned back to Gwinnett where he picked up the loss in his first game back with the team. He performed as expected for Atlanta, putting up huge strikeout numbers, worrisome walk rates and an impressive .206 BAA. He has a live arm and could realistically be brought up to Atlanta when rosters expand in September.

This Week (MiLB): 1 G (0-1), 1.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 1 K, 2 BB
This Week (MLB): 3 G (0-0), 2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 HR, 3 K, 0 BB
Season (MiLB): 34 G (2-7), 1 SV, 53.1 IP, 3.10 ERA, 60 K, 32 BB
Season (MLB): 7 G (0-0), 9 IP, 3.00 ERA, 16 K, 6 BB

Chris Cody, RHP (Double A - Mississippi)
Cody made his second start of his Braves career this past week, with nothing too noteworthy to report.  His .333 BAA in two starts this season is high, despite solid enough peripheral stats, but I guess it's better to see him around the zone too often at this point than having issues with command.

This Week: 1 G (0-0), 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 K, 2 BB
Season 2 G (1-0), 11 IP, 4.09 ERA, 7 K, 2 BB

Cory Brownsten, C (Low A - Rome)
Brownsten's been on the DL since July 16th with a broken thumb.

This Week: DL
Season (Rome and Lynchburg): 13 G, .163/.234/.209, 0 HR, 0 RBI

Dan Jurik, RHP (Rookie - Danville/Low A - Rome)

Courtesy: Joe Lucia

A unique week for Jurik who made just his fourth start of the season (first for Danville) and then was promoted to Rome (for the fourth time this year) on Sunday, August 14th. I guess my #FreeDanJurik twitter hashtag worked?! Fellow Braves blogger Joe Lucia was at Danville for the start. While 2 ER (4 R), 4 K and 0 BB looks decent enough, the nine hits he allowed doesn't. Joe mentioned he was having trouble with location and was missing up over the plate too often. He's had much more success as a reliever, so it will be interesting to see how he's used at Rome.

This Week: 1 G (0-1), 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R (2 ER), 4 K, 0 BB
Season (Danville, Rome & Lynchburg): 26 G (0-3), 2 SV, 56.2 IP, 3.18 ERA, 47 K, 21 BB

Dave Filak, RHP (Rookie - Danville)
Filak put up another encouraging start this past week, arguably his best of the year, in his first win for Danville. Over his past five starts (25.2 IP) at Danville, he's 1-1 with a 3.16 ERA, 24 K and just 5 BB. His rookie league ERA still sits north of six, but the past few weeks have provided glimpses of why he was an early round pick for the Braves in 2010.

This Week: 1 G (1-0), 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 6 K, 0 BB
Season (Danville & Rome): 21 G (3-9), 91.1 IP, 6.80 ERA, 71 K, 46 BB